The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 21-day strike notice to the Federal Government, as reported by The PUNCH. A source within ASUU’s National Executive Council confirmed the development, stating, “It is not an ultimatum but a strike notice. We are giving them 21 days’ notice, after which we shall embark on strike.” The notice was issued after a meeting at the University of Ibadan, and a copy will be sent to the Federal Ministries of Labour and Education.
ASUU’s decision to go on strike is due to the non-implementation of agreements reached with the federal government. Despite a meeting with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on June 26, the agreements remain unimplemented. ASUU’s national president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said, “At the meeting called by the Minister of Education, we agreed that after two weeks, we will meet to see the progress the government has made.”
ASUU’s demands include the implementation of the 2009 re-negotiated agreements, which have lingered for over six years. Osodeke noted that academic allowances due to their members have also accumulated for over six years, with no action taken. Additionally, the union seeks revitalization funds to upgrade universities to standard, as agreed upon in the Needs Assessment Report, which requires N200 billion yearly for five years. However, only one payment has been made since 2013.
Osodeke also criticized the government for approving new universities without funds to run them, saying, “We need revitalization funds to upgrade our universities to standard so that we can have students and lecturers from outside the country.” With the 21-day notice period ending soon, ASUU is prepared to embark on strike if their demands are not met.
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